Butterflies and Moths of North America

collecting and sharing data about Lepidoptera

Elsa sphinx
Sagenosoma elsa (Strecker, 1878)


Family: Sphingidae
Subfamily: Sphinginae
Identification: Forewing has a wide white band along the costa from base to apex. The remainder of the wing has black and white bands. Entire forewing is speckled with dark dots and has a light dusting of pale yellow to yellow-green scales. Hindwing is white with 2 black bands.
Wing Span: 2 3/4 - 3 1/4 inches (7 - 8.2 cm).
Life History: Caterpillars pupate in underground burrows.
Flight: . At least May-July.
Caterpillar Hosts: Probably plants in the nightshade family (Solanaceae).
Adult Food: Not reported.
Habitat: Not reported.
Range: Southern Utah and southern Colorado south to Arizona and New Mexico.
Conservation: Status of populations and ecological requirements is recommended.
NCGR: G3 - Very rare or local throughout its range or found locally in a restricted range (21 to 100 occurrences). (Threatened throughout its range).
Management Needs: None reported.
Comments: NULL